HE is best known as one half of the TV stars The Likely Lads.

But actor Rodney Bewes, who played Bob Ferris in the 60s classic, is also renowned as a lover of art.

And next month, part of his collection of works by former Brighouse artist Peter Brook, will be up for auction.

The actor will sell 18 paintings by Brook, who died in December 2009.

Most are typical of his work depicting the classic mills and landscapes of West Yorkshire.

Bingley-born actor Bewes is best known for his television, film and stage appearances, particularly his role as Ferris in The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, but he is also a keen collector of paintings.

The paintings up for sale on December 5 at Bonhams, Chester, carry estimates between £1,500 and £7,000 and are expected to sell for over £50,000 in total.

Bonhams’ picture specialist Richard Hopkinson said: “The collection is a tribute to a mutual friendship and an admiration of the best of Yorkshire.

“The towns and countryside changed enormously during Peter Brook’s life, but his paintings have a timeless quality.

“It is a privilege to include these beautifully expressive paintings in a Bonhams sale.”

During the 1960s Bewes met the Brighouse artist through fellow actor Tom Courtenay, who had purchased several works by Brook.

Bewes admired the works and Courtenay arranged a meeting.

Bewes realised that they shared an affection and admiration for the Pennine hills, the mill towns of the West Riding and the Yorkshire people.

Brook had recently left his job as art teacher at Sowerby Bridge Grammar School to become a professional artist, and a friendship was born.

Bewes visited Brook whenever he was working locally and purchased some very fine paintings by the artist over the next few years.

He also introduced the Huddersfield- born film actor James Mason to Brook, and Mason became an admirer and collector of the painter’s work, purchasing about 30 paintings which decorated his homes in Hollywood and Switzerland.

Other actors who have collected the painter’s work include Alan Ladd (junior) and Hannah Gordon.

The major interest of Brook’s work was the townscape of industrial West Yorkshire, and the Pennine hills which dominate the towns, particularly in wintertime. He was a very modest and shy man, but his works combine great technical skill with acute observation of sky, landscape, figures and buildings.

They possess a strong sense of humour and sense of place, evoking the atmosphere the Calder Valley and surrounding areas.

Brook died in December 2009 at the age of 83 and demand for his work continues to increase.

Art dealers have sold paintings to collectors across the world, including America, Canada and Australia.

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